The facts about parasites in pet waste and negative consequences of improper dog waste management should be of concern to everyone, and particularly to pet owners. According to EPA studies dating back several decades, pet waste is often a source of serious environmental harm.

According to more recent studies, non-human waste represents a significant source of bacterial contamination in urban watersheds. Current genetic studies conclude that 95% of the fecal coli form bacteria found in urban storm water was of non-human origin. These bacteria can pose health risks to humans and other animals, and can lead to the spread of disease.

Diseases that can be passed from pet waste to humans:

•Campylobacteriosis – a bacterial infection carried by dogs and cats that frequently causes diarrhea in humans.

• Salmonellosis – the most common type of bacterial infection transmitted to humans by other animals. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, vomiting and diarrhea.

• Toxocariasis – roundworms usually transmitted from dogs to humans, and may cause vision loss, rash, fever or cough.

• Toxoplasmosis – a parasite that can cause birth defects if a woman becomes infected during pregnancy. Can also be a problem for people with depressed immune systems.

The same bacteria that make pet waste dangerous in parks and common areas, makes water unsafe for swimming or drinking. Children and others can become ill when they dunk their heads or accidentally get a mouthful of polluted water. And when waste gets into shellfish beds, it can make clams and oysters unsafe to eat.

Pet waste can also be a factor in eutrophication of lakes. The release of nutrients from the decay of pet waste promotes weed and algae growth, limiting light penetration and the growth of aquatic vegetation. This in turn can reduce oxygen levels in the water, affecting fish and other aquatic organisms.

There is plenty of evidence that pet waste contamination has reached alarming levels.
Some examples:

•(US EPA, 1993) It has been estimated that for watersheds of up to twenty-square miles, two to three days droppings from a population of about 100 dogs would contribute enough bacteria and nutrients to temporarily close a bay to swimming and shell fishing.

•(NVPDC, 1998) In the Four-Mile Run watershed in Northern Virginia, a dog population of 11,400 is estimated to contribute about 5,000 pounds of solid waste every day and has been identified as a major contributor of bacteria to the stream.

• (van der Wel, 1995) A single gram of dog feces can contain 23 million fecal coli form bacteria…

• (WSDE, 2004) in an area of 100,000 people, dogs generate about two and a half tons of feces a day. That amounts to almost two million tons per year. The current US dog population is just over 80 million; the math gets somewhat overwhelming when you consider the total amount of waste per year.

Apparently there are two main reasons to clean up pet waste: diseases that can be passed from pet waste to humans and environment contamination. PetHabitats can become your one-stop source for dog waste management products. If you are looking for a solution to your pet waste problems check out our biodegradable pet waste bags and pet waste disposal systems.